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tragedynow_nextchapter's reviews
24 reviews
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Snow is truly a delulu and spiraling boy. the hunger games is one of the most iconic and best series out there and the ballad of songbirds and snakes is great edition to the original books. this book is president snow’s villain origin story and explains his disdain for love (e.g. katniss and peeta) and his hate for katniss is even more understood when we learn about lucy gray! their characters are so similar and at the end of the book when lucy leaves snow to pick “katniss” flowers definitely traumatized the name for him. while reading you also get to see his tough childhood and his flawed outlook on life because of it. the book is essentially is a diary of his mind and reading his thoughts and insane spirals was equally entertaining and frustrating. but this book is not only about snow’s character “development” there is a full fledged hunger games with lucy gray which is the best! although, some points i was a bit bored but the story picks up. we get to know the side characters quite well. lucy gray and sejanus were my favs! overall, i love the hunger games series so much and snow lands on top. (i swear i do not support president snow lmao)
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Something Wilder by Christina Lauren
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
okay, so the book overall was not great. i didn’t like that there were so many “plot twists” that i found unnecessary. basically, the plot and writing got me confused and think “why was that necessary?”. although, i did love the chemistry between leo and lily, and some parts of their treasure-hunting adventure. it was fun to read but i was expecting more.
Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
moshfegh has such a distinct and interesting voice that i can’t stop reading! eileen is painfully relatable and (as in my year of rest and relaxation) is miserable with her life and gets caught up in an interesting, dark situation. the read until the climax is kinda slow but i kept thinking “what did eileen do??” so that made me keep reading. but some scenes were pretty weird to read. i love that eileen is such a complex character and the symbolic ending.
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
a fun and easy read! a mystery written from multiple first person perspectives (which i love). set in a wedding on a deserted chaotic island filled with even more chaotic ppl. slow beginning but it speeds up and leaves you wanting to read more to tie together the mystery and secrets of the characters. definitely white lotus vibes! the multiple twists were good and pretty shocking. but i felt the ending was missing something and i was like “oh okay that’s it then?” u like reading murder mystery and rich ppl with twisted secrets? (definitely recommend!)
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
my high expectations were met! i understand why people love this book so much. if ur looking for a book with beautifully and painfully complex characters, and various twists and turns with a classic hollywood backdrop. each character u love and hate em which is the best, feeling various emotions towards characters. AND YALL the plot twist was so good i didn’t even expect. i want to give it 5 stars so bad but i felt like i needed more but idk what. overall, this book was literally amazing. luv u evelyn.
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
this book was so fun to read!! my jaw dropped multiple times and my reactions went from “aww” to “nah wth” to “are u kidding me”. so many fun twists and super engaging read. def recommend if u want a riddle, game, mystery with a subplot of some good love triangle romance with two brothers.
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
this book is the epitome of a cute, enjoyable romcom. any of u girlies that love romcoms will love this book. a fast paced and lighthearted read about two characters who hated each other at first but then fall in love. the setting is so fun, being set in hawaii and Olive and Ethan do vacation activities. (and the book cover is so cute, i’m obsessed)
the chemistry is there y’all!! i got butterflies reading Olive’s perspective on her and Ethan’s flirting/relationship. i found their banter funny and adorable really.
the ig “fallout” before the end between Ethan and Olive was surprisingly not stupid (like in some other romance novels). it involved family so it felt much more personal/realistic.i felt soo bad for Olive :( Dane is such an asshole and i wished Ami believed her right away. i totally understand why Ethan sided with his brother, cause it’s his brother. you can’t blame his familial ties imo. i also appreciated the character development of Olive, she was no longer boxed into the pessimistic person her family always thought her to be.
the ending was super cute and fitting for Olive and Ethan. i loved this book cause it had everything i love in a romcom - family themes, enemies to lovers, vacation, fate, and fake dating. i thought his book was really good (for a romance novel), fun, and funny; and i would love to see this as a movie!
the chemistry is there y’all!! i got butterflies reading Olive’s perspective on her and Ethan’s flirting/relationship. i found their banter funny and adorable really.
the ig “fallout” before the end between Ethan and Olive was surprisingly not stupid (like in some other romance novels). it involved family so it felt much more personal/realistic.
the ending was super cute and fitting for Olive and Ethan. i loved this book cause it had everything i love in a romcom - family themes, enemies to lovers, vacation, fate, and fake dating. i thought his book was really good (for a romance novel), fun, and funny; and i would love to see this as a movie!
Normal People by Sally Rooney
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Rooney is so talented in describing people and our real vulnerabilities and thoughts. The growth of Marianne and Connell is so apparent and changes from adolescent concerns to deep understanding and acceptance. Marianne and Connell do truly care for one another! they simply cannot stay away from each other and the ending makes you think they have to meet again. With Connell’s worrying about what others think and Marianne’s troubled family, Rooney dives deep into where the characters personalities and thoughts stems from.
keep in mind, there is scenes in the book that made me anxious and uncomfortable. such as verbal and physical mistreatment of Marianne and suicidal thoughts of Connell.
i love how each chapter took turns spotlighting Marianne and Connell. we get to read about their perspectives and the reasons for their actions. Marianne and Connell are such complex people and are so relatable as they reveal the buried nature of themselves. their bond is so personal and that is because they have been there for each other basically most of their life. they grew together.
“they’ve been like two little plants sharing the same plot of soil, growing around one another, contorting to make room, taking certain unlikely positions. But in the end she has done something for him, she’s made a new life possible, and she can always feel good about that.” i think this gathers the whole book nicely at the end. 🫶
this novel conquers themes of loneliness, depression, self destructiveness, joy, and the ever complicated and confusing nature of love. Normal People is tender and real, it got me on the edge of tears multiple times. i hope Marianne and Connell have their truly happy ending they deserve.
keep in mind, there is scenes in the book that made me anxious and uncomfortable. such as verbal and physical mistreatment of Marianne and suicidal thoughts of Connell.
i love how each chapter took turns spotlighting Marianne and Connell. we get to read about their perspectives and the reasons for their actions. Marianne and Connell are such complex people and are so relatable as they reveal the buried nature of themselves. their bond is so personal and that is because they have been there for each other basically most of their life. they grew together.
“they’ve been like two little plants sharing the same plot of soil, growing around one another, contorting to make room, taking certain unlikely positions. But in the end she has done something for him, she’s made a new life possible, and she can always feel good about that.” i think this gathers the whole book nicely at the end. 🫶
this novel conquers themes of loneliness, depression, self destructiveness, joy, and the ever complicated and confusing nature of love. Normal People is tender and real, it got me on the edge of tears multiple times. i hope Marianne and Connell have their truly happy ending they deserve.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
such an honest book about the rock n roll scene in the 70s, conquering the themes of music, addiction, family dynamics, and love/hope/faithfulness. i love the 70s and music so i was super excited to read this book (esp after i first read malibu rising by TJR)!
i will say i may have hyped it too much in my head because i expected more (more plot/emotional scenes). but i realized that this story is an interview, the band members are sharing THEIR story so of course the whole plot won’t be fully coherent/ thought out carefully and thoughtfully. and the way the characters tell their stories, have you emotionally relate and see the struggles and reasons for their actions in the band and in life. constantly there are contradictions in the character’s stories and quite funny commentary. the band’s dynamics reveal the most about the characters. i loved Karen, Graham, and Daisy the most.i wished Karen and Graham ended up together but i love Karen and i was happy that she did what she wanted. i felt that i could always believe Karen and Graham, and Daisy had a tough upbringing with addiction but at the end she turned her life around (with the help of Camila) and was always honest with how she felt (usually lol). Camila grew on me, i lowkey didn’t like her cause i wanted Billy and Daisy to give it a try but the end with her advice to Daisy and the email just made me tear up.
the songs at the end perfectly revealed what Billy and Daisy were reluctant to say! TJR once again did a spectacular job creating a story that depicts the raunchiness in the 70s (and the characters lol) and creating interesting characters with emotional, in depth backgrounds and lives that make you want to keep reading more. i love music and i need to hear Daisy Jones and the Six!!!
i will say i may have hyped it too much in my head because i expected more (more plot/emotional scenes). but i realized that this story is an interview, the band members are sharing THEIR story so of course the whole plot won’t be fully coherent/ thought out carefully and thoughtfully. and the way the characters tell their stories, have you emotionally relate and see the struggles and reasons for their actions in the band and in life. constantly there are contradictions in the character’s stories and quite funny commentary. the band’s dynamics reveal the most about the characters. i loved Karen, Graham, and Daisy the most.
the songs at the end perfectly revealed what Billy and Daisy were reluctant to say! TJR once again did a spectacular job creating a story that depicts the raunchiness in the 70s (and the characters lol) and creating interesting characters with emotional, in depth backgrounds and lives that make you want to keep reading more. i love music and i need to hear Daisy Jones and the Six!!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction